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Structural color filters have recently blossomed as a superior alternative to organic dyes or chemical pigments owing to their remarkable durability and compactness. With appropriate design, nanostructure‐induced photonic or plasmonic resonance modes can give rise to either enhancement in transmission or suppression in the reflection within specific wavelength ranges in the optical regime, generating distinctive colors. However, the static optical properties due to fixed structural geometry and size after fabrication hinder their deployment in many cutting‐edge technologies requiring adaptive complexion changes. Here, a multilayer thin film‐based color filter incorporating Mg and MgO, earth‐abundant and biodegradable materials, is devised. The devices display vivid hues spanning a broad gamut via the control of the film thickness. They also exhibit minimal color changes with varying angle views up to 40°–50°. Moreover, the tones fade away instantly upon immersion in water and then progressively transition to a different hue with the complete removal of the Mg‐containing layers, realizing transient color responses. This approach holds great promise for alternative pixels with irreversible color‐change capability as well as zero‐power consumption and low cost, while making use of biodegradable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metallic nanostructures and thin films are fundamental building blocks for next‐generation nanophotonics. Yet, the fixed permittivity of pure metals often imposes limitations on the materials employed and/or on device performance. Alternatively, metallic mixtures, or alloys, represent a promising pathway to tailor the optical and electrical properties of devices, enabling further control of the electromagnetic spectrum. In this Review, a survey of recent advances in photonics and plasmonics achieved using metal alloys is presented. An overview of the primary fabrication methods to obtain subwavelength alloyed nanostructures is provided, followed by an in‐depth analysis of experimental and theoretical studies of their optical properties, including their correlation with band structure. The broad landscape of optical devices that can benefit from metallic materials with engineered permittivity is also discussed, spanning from superabsorbers and hydrogen sensors to photovoltaics and hot electron devices. This Review concludes with an outlook of potential research directions that would benefit from the on demand optical properties of metallic mixtures, leading to new optoelectronic materials and device opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]